Sunday, May 03, 2026

Moment of Truth

"The only way to move ahead becomes to leave the past behind."

Everyone has practices or games beset with failure. In soccer, you feel as though you have "two left feet" or in baseball you're "wild in the strike zone" (throwing fat pitches) or "overmatched" at bat.

Excellent players learn from losses and move on, applying wisdom forced by failure. Bad serves, wild attacks, and shanked balls are part of everyone's history. Move on. 

Three Primary Tests

  • "Always do your best."
  • "Make everyone around you better."
  • "Impact the game." (Give the game what it needs.)
Passing the Tests

  • Attention to detail in preparation and play
  • Play in the moment. "Next play."
  • Serve the team. Do what is in the best interest of others.
Sweating the Small Stuff

  • Ask "What does our team need now?"
  • Learn to refocus (key words - this play, or "take a breath."
  • Communicate to inform and energize teammates. 
Some players have the character and competence to dominate play for stretches. Others "recruit" teammates in the moment to raise the level of team play...the Maggie Turners who are the "mouth in the house." Being a vocal leader is a superpower, too. 

A player doesn't need double digit digs, bushels of blocks, or armies of attacks to earn trust and get on the floor. But they have to contribute something positive. Impact the team.

Lagniappe. Department of redundancy department. Award yourself athleticism. When you walk onto the court at tryouts, two abilities stand out - skill and athleticism. They're the "wow factor." 

 

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